Sparkle (2012)

Sparkle Synopsis

Musical prodigy, Sparkle (Jordin Sparks) struggles to become a star while overcoming issues that are tearing her family apart. From an affluent Detroit area and daughter to a single mother (Whitney Houston), she tries to balance a new romance with music manager, Stix (Derek Luke) while dealing with the unexpected challenges her new life will bring as she and her two sisters (Carmen Ejogo and Tika Sumpter) strive to become a dynamic singing group during the Motown-era.

With Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks, Derek Luke, Mike Epps, and CeeLo Green on board, Sparkle definitely features the acting prowess to have made a critical impression, but before the film's release, I worried it would be all glitter and no substance. Luckily, the opposite holds true, and if you missed the musical drama during its initial theatrical run, you won’t have long to wait to catch the film from the comfort of your own home. Sparkle debuts on Blu-ray and DVD on November 30.

With The Expendables 2, Sparkle and ParaNorman all new and in wide release, holdovers like The Bourne Legacy and The Campaign are finding some competition, and it's pretty easy to tell what will take Bourne's #1 spot. The Expendables 2

What initially looked like a not-particularly-necessary remake of a not-particularly-classic film has taken on new, tragic significance, now that the upcoming Sparkle remake is officially Whitney Houston's final screen performance.

A remake of the Sam O'Steen 1976 picture, Sparkle stars Sparks as a bright, young up-and-comer who transitions from the Gospel choir to the big-time stage. The original film was a loose telling of the career arc of The Supremes. Houston is set to play Emma, Sparkle’s mother, who’s none too pleased with (and probably a little jealous of) her daughter’s overnight success.

Confirmed in an interview with producer Debra Martin Chase, Luke will play Stix, the part played by Miami Vice's Philip Michael Thomas in the original. The story follows a group of three young singers, led by a girl named Sparkle (Jordin Sparks), as they move from the church choir to the big time.

From the mid-80s to 2000, there were few recording artists in the world more popular or successful than Whitney Houston. In that time the singer recorded four albums, all of which went platinum at least four times over, and even had a couple winners at the box office, Mick Jackson's The Bodyguard pulling in over $400 million internationally. A large portion of the last 11 years, on the other hand...